What is Galentine’s Day? How Parks and Rec inspired the holiday

Leslie Knope, deputy directory of the Pawnee, Indiana’s Department of Parks and Recreation started a worldwide trend with those famous words.

Since the 2010 episode of the NBC hit sitcom “Parks and Recreation,” Amy Poehler’s lead character has sparked what now is essentially a national holiday, Galentine’s Day.

What started as a quirky feminist running-gag is now a social media sensation, with women spending hundreds of dollars on their Instagram-friendly pink party decor, and restaurants creating specialty brunch menus for the February 13 occasion.

To quote Ms. Knope, “Every February 13th my lady friends and I leave our husbands and boyfriends at home and we just come and kick it breakfast style.”

HOW TO HAVE AN AUTHENTIC GALENTINE’S DAY

An authentic Galentine’s Day party takes place over brunch.

Bring your gal pals together to celebrate each other, give each other homemade gifts and load up on waffles. Discussion topics include romantic relationships, past hookups, and historical events that happened on the day you were born.

For a game, try a rigorous Q-and-A session to get to know each other.

“It will be a women’s-only marathon bonding session with tons of whipped cream,” Knope says, of her day. “Side note: do not Google that phrase.”

While the technical day of celebration is the day before Valentine’s Day, don’t feel constrained to that date. “Anytime a group of women get together for brunch, we embody the spirit of the holiday,” Knope says.